Obama pressed on religious exemption

Pro, con voices raised as he readies executive order to bar anti-gay bias in hiring

By DAVID CRARY and LISA LEFF The Associated Press

Posted: July 10, 2014 at 4:22 a.m.

In the intensifying debate over religious liberty, President Barack Obama faces pressure from opposite flanks as he prepares to issue an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against gay and transgender people in hiring.